The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-24
The Stret-Car Strike.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Journal
Some says: when withhold our
sympathies from doing kindness to a neighbor,
or from trying to sustain the public interest and
welfare, narrowing down own souls,
and may verge to that absolute selfishness
which would take advantage of a nighbor at the
sacrifice of common honesty" That sentence
points to every citizen, and especially Mr.. John
son. It tells every one what his duty is, es-
pecially Mr.. johnson. Had Mr.. johnson known
his duty to his reighbor, and had public inter
est and welfare" at heart, this strike would not
have occurred. The citizens have permitted Mr.
johnson to have his own way at the expense of
their inconvenience and discomfort, hence they
are responsible for this strike and should
not only CIV give lin, ineir 90 Sympathy. but
The railway has been a disgrace to the city
for long time. It has been suitable only for
rising young town. In the years gone by, Mr.
johnson, in the face of the poverty stricken
equipments, proclaimed the sum he had cleared
that year. It was enormous. Mr.. johnson
seems to be prospecting in IA personal way, besides
starting, within short time. railways. and run
ming the same in frst-class style, in Cleveland,
ST Louis and Brooklyn; so that his cry of not
being liable to afford an increase in this pay of
the drivers or improve the equipments" is rather
barefaced. Had he felt poor-so unable to
meet the demands of the public-he should have
allowed some other company ingress. Had be
preferred other cities, which seems to have been
his capital and forces to such cities,
permitting another monopoly to enter
which would furnish at least the conveniences
Perchance if Mr.. johnson had not made so many
remttapces TO the Council the railway would be
better equipped. II there has been no doodle,
only exchange of influence. then, indeed, 1t
has come to pretty pass aud the city is In
fine bondage, and on the highway to success
It is pitiable The strikers, the drivers, have
long been objects of pity. They are taxed In
mind. unto arithmetic, eyes, ears and
strength, for fifteen hours at a time. Who but
they can give such recordl 1t is worth more
than the highest pay just 10 drive the mules 1t
Mr.. johnson furnishes the mules he should cer-
tainly furnish the whips. Not to do so is an ex-
tortlon. How the sensibilites of the public
have been outraged at the straining mules the
man half overheard, flashing with might and
main, with blasphemy sandwiched. 1t should
be taken into consideration that drivers of street
cars are more exposed. for a longer time, than
other drivers. 1t cities the drivers and con-
ductors put on in relays. If so here. 1t has
never been known. There is not only not that.
but Mr.. johnson objected last winter. when a
certain firm furnished hot coffee to the drivers.
On one OF the lines, cold day last winter,
a driver was asked what was his salary. He
said: Zone dollar and half" For how longf"
Fifteen hours." hat do you think of thatf
That tells story. 1t is wrong TO ask the driv-
ers to call the streets. 1t is enough to mind the
propelling power. especially mules. the